Compact lighter



March l, 1932. H. s'TElNr-'lELD 1,847,790

COMPACT LIGHTER Filed May 2, A19:50

ll//fl V/O v INVENToR. #AMY Tf//VF/EL o .s2 a; 67 ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 1, 1932 uuifrEnisf,'ri\iTEsy PATENT oFFIcE HARRY sTEINFIELnforANEWYoRK, N.y Y., As'sIoNon on'THRnE-Tnnrns To EDWARD ERVIN-AND ,.ONEFFIITHfTo CLAIRE TAMAGNO, BOTH or NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMPACT Application filed May V2P,

lVLy inventionnrelates tol improvements `in compact lighters-for Cigarettes, cigars, or the iike.l e

In accordancewith myinventioml provide a -oompaot flighter. which is relatively long and slender, andmiay .be Conveniently carried by .aflady inherfpurs'e or VAbag. The lighter hasafuel reservoir of.. large capacity, thereby eliminating frequent `refilling' .of the same. Thedevieelalso embodies .a burner element, whichvmay be removed .for the finsertion Aof the wick, rendering it. convenient to 'pass the wick .througlr the :burner ;y element and also rendering` it possible to obtain a tight fit between thefwielrand burner element for properly `Closing-thefreservoiigF l,and thereby pre-l venting unnecessary evaporation of the fuel. The lighter furthenpreferabiy embodiesv a plurality of flints, inzoonjunction with a. mov? able strikingielement, therebyassuring sparl; or sparlsupon each stroke of the stri-king element;A Thefburner `isi-enclosed' within a guard .orfwindshield-havingfan opening in one side of the same for the insertionof the end-ofthe oigafretteor the flilie, whereby the' flame 1 .wi-.ll not be readily Avblown out. whenV the lig-liter isused -inwthe open. The: guard or windshield is adaptedto be coveredby a cap, preferably havinggtelescoping engagement therewith, andvrthis cap is. att-ached to. the

' strilingelement;.to be V,'m oved thereby. The

device-ffurtheu embodies- 5a fsnufferf movable with the capand when in the yclosed.position basa-.close iitsvith the'bu-rnereiement, posi--V tively;preventing; the. 'escape kof fumes from the fuel whiohis zdrafwnfto the .burning endv of the. wiel; V4by v.ealiiillary attraction, `thereby preventing these fumes Coming in yContact with the-fiint-s, whereby lthe Hints are maintained-:dry and yhard and will at all times properly produce sparks.l The construct-ion issueh i that'. thefuel, i either liquid` or solid,

may befedinto the reservoir withoutlliability Y of.4 the; same overfl oaving :and coming in oon-v taet with the hntiorlflmts,-Wlnchiare come Vpletely seal-ed` from thefu'el during the refill-a ingprocess Means are. also V'.provided so that the guard or windshle'ldeap may be separatedfrom the strikingelementto afford ready access to-thefbl-trner. element. Alrleans.

LIGHTER i930. serial Nc. 457,412.

are valso provided whereby the striking .element, at will, may be iooked in the forward position, thereby holding the guard or Windshield cap in the open position, .so that the lighter may be used by a number of persons without repeated operation.V

The foregoing are some of the features and advantages of the device, but it is obvious that the invention resides in various combinations of kelements not ineiuding all of these features, as defined by the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and 'in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a compact lighter embodying my invention, the cap being closed,

Figure 2 open,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 11 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on line 5.-5 of Figure 1, y

Figure (iis a similar viowt'a ien on linev 6-6 of Figure 3, .v

Figure 7 is a' central verticai longitudinal section through the body portion of the de is asimilar view' with the Cap Vlee- 1. 1 Y.. Y i. Y* ,r-ii

Ink the rawings, wherein for'the purpose of illustration, is shown a'preferred embodi! ment of my invention, the numeral lOYdesignates Va body portion, which may preferably be a metal casting. windshield '11 is preferablyformed integral with this body portion and -projects forwardly therefrom and has its forward end open and is providedfin its periphery or side with an opening 12,.as shown.

Thebody portion 10 is provided 4with an opening 13, for the passage of a wick, tobe described, and for fthe introduction of the fu'el,-liquid or solid', into' the fuel reservoir or tank. The opening 13 leads at its forward end into a screw-*threadedopening'lt, preferably arranged at an angleV with rrelation thereto, and this screw-threaded opening re- Ceives arsorew-thre'aded shank 15. of are- A tubular flame guard or msil movable burner element 16, `holding the wick s 31 into the transverse end portionof .the L Vthe same.

Vtage in having the burner element removable,

inasmuch as it renders it more convenient to insert the wick into the burner element, and further it is possible to use a wick having as tight a fit as possible with the burner element to prevent unnecessary evaporation of the fuel. The opening 13 also has communication with a radial or laterally projecting -screwethread'ed opening 18, which is adapted to be covered by a screw-threaded 'plug 19.

The body portion 10 also has an opening formed therein, for slidably receiving a reciprocatory combined operating and striking element 21.

The body portion 10 is provided at its rear end with an annular ange 22, receiving thereon a tubular casing 23, which is prefer-V ably permanently attached thereto by soldering or the like. The tubular casing 23 is preferably cylindrical and has a considen ably greater length than diameter. The element 21 extends longitudinally through the casing 23, adjacent to one side of the same, while afuel reservoir or tank 24 extends longitudinally within the casing, upon one side of the element 21. This reservoir 24 is preferably circularly curved in cross section with a fiat side 25, arranged adjacent to the element 21, for providing a suitable space for The forward open end of the reservoir 24 projects into the flange 22 and is 5 preferably permanently attached thereto by soldering or the like.

The numeral 26 designates a reciprocatory tubular plunger mounted within the rear end of the casing 23, to telescope therewith. This tubular plunger receives the rear endof the element 21 and a transverse extension or bent end 27 thereof. The extension 2? has a screw-threaded Y opening for receiving a screw-threaded pin 23 also engaging within the screw-threaded opening 29 of a coupling disc 30, which is mounted in the rear end of tubular plunger 26, and preferably rigidly held therein by soldering or the like. The tubular plunger' 26 preferably has a radially projecting lug 31, which may be stamped therefrom, and this lug operates Within an L-shaped groove or guide 32, having a longitudinal extension 32 at the end ofn its transverseV portion, the same being formed upon the innerV side of the casing 23; It is thus seen that when the plunger 26 is moved to the forward position, it may be locked in such position by turning the plunger 26 slightlyto the left, for bringing the lug shaped groove. This Vturning .movement is permitted by the fact that the coupling disc will be slightly unscrewed upon the screwthreaded pin 29. hen theplunger is notthus turned, it is free to reciprocate. The;

extension 27 engages a suitably stiff conipressible coil spring 33, the forward end of which engages the rear end of the reservoir 24e, this spring being completely enclosed by the telescoping tubular plunger 26 and casing The body portion 10 is provided upon its side opposite the element 21 with generally radially disposed bosses 311, preferably cast integral therewith, and these bosses are angularly arrangedvv and converge toward the elementV 21. These bosses constitute flint holders and have openings slidably receiving the flints 36. These Hints are accordingly neld in an angular position and converge forwardly so that-their forward ends are arranged in close relation and adapted to be engaged by the serrated or roughened surface 36a of the combined operating vand striking element 21. The forward striking ends of the flints are arrangedgwithin'a recess e7, formed by a beveled face 38 of the body portion 10, whereby a wholly unob-Y structed spaceis afforded between the flints and the wick.. The bosses 34 have screwthreaded openings 35', which are larger in diameter than the openings 35, for receiving adjustable pressure regulating screws 36', acting upon springs 37', arranged between the screws and flints. These screws have cylindrical milled heads 38, operating within openings 39', formed inthe outer ends of the bosses, and these openings extend through flat faces L10i of the bosses. The cylindrical heads 38 project radially beyond the oppo' site flat faces 40 and may be engaged by the thumb'and ingenfor conveniently adjusting the screws to regulate the pressure upon the flints. y

The guard 11 slidably receives thereon a reciprocatory capV 39, having its rear -end preferablyV beveled to fit closely upon a beveled shoulder 40, formed upon the body portion. Then in the closed position, this cap covers the opening 12 in the guard 11. A coupling disc L11 is rigidly secured within the forward end of the cap 39, by soldering-or the like, andpreferably has a screw-threaded opening L12, for receiving the reduced screwthreaded end 43 carried by the element 2l. The cap 39 reciprocates with the element 21. By shifting the plunger 26' to the forward position, it may be turned to bring lug 31 into the rear end of groove extension v32', subsequently to which the plunger 26 may be moved to the forwardmost position. This will move the cap 39 to the forwardmost position, so that its rear end will clear the forward end ofthe guard 11, lwhereby the cap may be rotated and unscrewed from the element 21, thus affording free access to the burner element, through the forward open thelilre,` and this spring has an opening 44,

.ford-ing. a .loose .or universal connection betweenthe'snutfer andthespring. The snuffer has-aninnenbeveled or tapered face 46,-v

atits open. end, to venga-ge with a beveled outer vontapered face 47, formed :upon the burner element 16. Y These tapered faces are provided. so that the snufer lwill be self-seating. upon the burner. element,- for` aifordinga gas-tight joint.. When. 1 the. snuffer element is in theseated position,.it .eneloses the free A.end offthe wick, positively preventing ythe escapeof the volatilized fuel,.thereby retaining tliese ,vapors out of contact with-the flints, and .further A eliminating odors, and unnecessarylossof fuel,-as muchas possible,

The operationfo-f the lighter, `is as follows? The casing 23 maybe convenientlyheld be-V tweenthe vindex finger `and the secondv finger with the plunger 26 extending toward the thumb-.to befengaged thereby. Theplunger isnow pressed forwardly-by the thumb with relationto the' casing, `causing the element 21. to :move forwardly. f vThis forward ymovement .of-theelement 21.-.shifts thecap39 to the' open..position,\ the snuffer .moving vwith thecapto the open'. position, and about the same timethe .striking surface. 36a is broughtv into engagement. with ,the.flints, producing sparkror-.sparlrs which ignitethe wick.: As soon` as `the .plunger 25 .is released, .the spring 33- automatical'ly returns. the .elements to the normalclosed position. If it :is desiredzto have .the -light-cruscd gby. amnumber of. .perf

sons,; the plunger 26 is. .forcedforwardlyn as described, andthenturned slightly .to the left for'. lockingy the. same inthe forward .position. T he` cap 39..,and ,associatedI elements will then lbe heldA inthe open position until theplunger is vreleased. .by a reverseturning movement,- 'at which time.V the cap and asso? ciated elements areagainf automatically returned, to [the l closedor .starting KAposition by thespring 33. v` It isl thus. seen that I have providedali-ghter whichfis extremely simple inoperation, inasmuchas allpa-rts are shift-l ed by the simple pressing of the plunger., and

these .parts automatically returnto the start# ing position when theyplunger. is 1eleased. The lighter is preferably tcylindrical andris slender, andis of the .general shape` of a lipstick, fountainpem'or .the like, and may be manufactured suitably small so that it can be conveniently carried in the purseorrbag of a lady, or it may be equipped with a` clip, as is customary with fountain pens, so that it may be attached to the apparel of a gentle man.

- to be taken as a preferred example of the It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is

size Vand arrangement of parts may be resorted to, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims. Y

Having thus described my inventlonk I claim l.. A compact lighter comprising a long Y slender casing having means for holding a fuel a burner element connected with the casing near one end for holding a wick, a cap slidable longitudinally upon the end of the casing adjacent to the burner element to cover and uncover the same, flint holding means arrangednear the burner element, a. reciprocatory rod lextending longitudinally through the Vcasing and having detachable connection with the cap, said reciprocatory rod having strikingmeans bodily mounted thereon to reciprocate therewith, and a springpressed plunger engaging the opposite end ofthe casing and connected with the rod.

2. A compact lightercomprising a long slender casing having means for holding` a fuel, a burner element connected with the casing near one end of the same for holding agwick, acap slidablelongitudinally upon the casing adjacent to the burner element to cover and uncover the same, a reciprocatory rod extending longitudinally through the casing and yhaving striking means which is bodily mounted upon the reciprocatory rod to reciprocate therewith, flint holding means arranged near the burner element for coac` .tionwith the striking means, a spring-pressed ingv and having bores for receiving the flints,

said bores being inclined and converging inwardlytoward the casing, the arrangement bringing the innerends Vof the iints into close relation and affording a space between them,va movable striking element carried by the casing and movable across the inner adjacent` ends of the flints to simultaneously act upon the same, and a burner element for receiving a wick passing into the fuel holdingmeans,- said burner element being arranged between the bores of the tubular flint holding elements and having its free end adapted for communication with the'space between the Hints. v

4. A compact lighter comprising an elongated relatively slender casing, aliquid fuel reservoir. extending longitudinally withinthe cas ing`,-a` body portionl secured to one end of the casing and having a pair of'inclined tubular flint holding elements which project radially beyond the casing and converge in wardlyV toward the same, thearrangement be# ing such that the Hints are held in a convergloo los

ing relation withtheir inner ends in close relation and a space between the llints, a burner element connected with the body portion'for receiving a wick passing into the liquid fuel reservoir, the. free end of the burner element being arranged for communi'- cation with the space between the flints, a reciprocatory rod operating` within vthe casing and having a striking surface to engage with the inner ends of both flints, and means to move the rod. Y

5. A compact lighter omprising an elongated relatively slender casing, liquid fuel holding-means extending longitudinally within the casing and spaced from one side thereof to provide a passage, a body portion vsecured toene end of the casing and having a pair of inclined inwardly converging bores, the inner ends of the bores terminating in close relation, said body portion also having a longitudinal bore arranged between the inclined bores, a burner element secured at the longitudinal bore and held between the inclined converging bores which receive the Hints, a reciprocatory rod arranged within the casing and extending longitudinally through the passage and having a striking surface to engage the adiacent inner ends of the flints, a reciprocatory cap carried by one end of the rod and adapted to cover and uncover the burner element, and a reciprocatory plunger connected with the opposite end of the rod and disposed adjacent'thevopposite end of the casing.

6. A compact lighter comprising an elongated relatively'slendcr casing, a body portion secured to one end of the casing and having a transverse flint holding bore and also having a longitudinal passage, a `tubular guard secured to thebody portion and having an opening in its side, a reciprocatory capniounted upon the tubular guard to cover and uncover the opening, a liquid fuel reservoir arranged within the casing and having a portion spaced therefrom for providing'a pas` sage, a burner element carried by the body portion to receive a wick leading to the liquid fuel reserv-oir, a reciprocatory rod extending through the longitudinal passage of the body portion andthrough the passage between the reservoir vand casing and having one end attached to the cap and also provided with a striking surface to engage the flint, a plunger arranged at the opposite end of the casing and connected with the reciprocatory rod, and yielding means to oppose the inward mqvenient of the plunger. g

I. A compact lighter comprising an elongated relatively slender casing, a body portion secured to one end of the casing and having a transverse flint holding` bore and also having a' longitudinalpassage and a longitudinalbore, a tubular .guard secured to the body portion andhaving an opening in its side, a reciprocatory cap mounted upon the tubular guard to cover and uncover the opening, a liquid fuel reservoir arranged within the casing and extending longitudinally thereof landhavinga portion thereof spaced l a snuer cap having a universal'pivotal connection with the springend adapted to automatically seat upon the burner element, a

plunger varranged at the opposite end of the casing and connected with thereciprocatory rod, andy a spring to oppose the inward movement of the plunger.

8. A. lighter comprising a long slender casing'V having fuel holding means, a pair of flint holding elements connected with the casing and 'disposed transversely of the casing, the arr ngement being' suchthat a space is provided between the flints, a burner element for receiving awick passing into the fuel holding means, said burner element having its free end in communication with the space between the flint's, a reciprocatory rod connected with the long 'slender casingand extending logitudinally thereof and having a part projecting beyond one end ofthe casing, said reciprocatory rodthaving striking means bodily mounted Y upon vthe -rod to kreciprocate therewith and arranged to engage with the Hints.

9. AQ lighter comprisingv a casing having fuel holding means, a pair of flint holding elements connected with the casing and arranged transversely thereof, the arrangement being such that a space is afforded between the ilints, a burner element receiving a wick passing into the fuel holding. means and so arranged that its free end is adapted for communication with the space between the li'nts, and a reciprocatory striking Velement for engaging both flints, said reciprocatory element extending longitudinally of the casing and moving generallyk at a right angle to the direction of the flints.

, Intestimony whereo'I affix my signature.

HARRY STEINFIELD.`

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